Horses seem to go on and accept everything we put them through, but the truth here is that the horse is greatly affected by all this change; much more than many people think. First of all, horses don’t change very easily. For them, life is based on consistency, as well as their total dependence on humans for their existence and they don’t understand why there has to be so much change all the time. It was through observing various horses and how they reacted to all of the situations mentioned above that made me wonder if a horse could suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
What we found was pretty clear and has actually been the basis for several clinical studies on horses and their ability to suffer from PTSD. The finding is pretty clear, horses can be affected in a number of ways that classify them as PTSD cases. The main reason that emerged from these various studies is the fact that horses do not have the same level of cognitive abilities as people, and being lower in the area of cognitive abilities makes it much more difficult for a horse to mentally manage in any situation where there is a much higher level of emotional decision.
Another point that makes the horse a better candidate for PTSD is that it is constantly aware of its surroundings and what is happening around it. Being able to communicate with each other comes from this natural ability of constant awareness while also keeping track of the emotions of the humans around them. Here the door opens, just as it does for the combat soldier or abused child that allows one to build on the symptoms of PTSD. It could be an action that is taken against them that they feel is not necessary or it could even be an event that they witness happen to another horse.
As we all know, horses communicate in many different ways than we do; we mainly use speech (and we expect the horse to fully understand us), the horse uses body language as its main form of communication only resorting to the use of speech when absolutely necessary. Therefore, we tend to overlook any of the PTSD symptoms that may come from the horse. So what are some of these signs? It can be very simple and subtle things, as simple as propping, locking (or freezing), swaying (aka weaving), a sudden reaction to what appears to be nothing to us, the shifting of the mouth, or even the grinding of teeth. There may also be more serious symptoms such as; parting off, bolting or even constant load. Any of these indicators can be an indication that there is a serious problem that is embedded deep within the horse.
Before I go any further, let me say that not all horses that do many of the things listed above are horses that suffer from PTSD; and yes, all horses can be difficult from time to time and even overreact in certain situations. What makes a horse a candidate for PTSD is the one horse that starts doing things that are out of the ordinary for him and continues to do them on a regular basis.
Whenever PTSD is discussed, whether human or equine, one must remember that it all comes from the mind; it can be a memory, a sound, something they smell or even something they have seen. All of these are known as “triggers” and may be all that is needed to activate the PTSD problem, there is never any link to a logical response once the process gets underway.
Horses suffering from PTSD can be helped, as the human clinical research program is showing; in fact, the US military is conducting a massive research program on the east coast with returning warriors that concerns the use of “low level light therapy” and is showing extremely positive results. This same non-invasive technology is already being applied to horses with similar and minor problems. The results of “low level light therapy” within the field of equine care have progressed at a very rapid rate and are being used with additional energy modalities to help horses with all levels of ailments.
